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The California Condor was listed as an endangered species on March 11, 1967. Today there are 405 living condors including 226 living in the wild and 179 in captivity. Two known nests are on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon while another is on the Kaibab Plateau.
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California
Condor Birdsin the Grand
Canyonby
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
The Grand Canyon contains 5 different ecosystems at close proximity.
• Riparian• Desert Scrub• Pinon-Jumiper Woodland• Pondersoa Pine Forest• Montane Forest
Soaring above all this a rare bird called the California Condor Bird,
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
The California Condor was listed as an endangered species on March 11, 1967.
Despite intense conservation efforts, the population dwindled to 33.
The last remaining wild condor was brought into captivity in 1987.
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
The surviving birds were bred in zoos in San Diego and Los Angeles.
Through the captive breeding program, the number of condors rose.
In 1991 condors were reintroduced into the wild.
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
The first egg produced by a reintroduced Condor was laid in a shallow cave at the Grand Canyon National Park.
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Today there are 405 living condors including 226 living in the wild and 179 in captivity.
Condors are still considered critically endangered.
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Identifying Marks
Adult Condors have black feathers with a large triangular patch of white feathers on the underside of the wings.
Their bill is ivory colored with a bald head and grey feet.
Their skin color varies from reddish- orange to yellow.
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Young Condors have dark brown feathers and a black head.
Condors have tracking tags with numbers on the underside of their wings.
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Condor Facts
• The female is slightly smaller than the male.
• They have been known to fly as high as 15,000 ft. (4,600 km)
• The Condor is the Largest North American Land Bird
• It is one of the longest living birds in the world with a life span of up to 60 years
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Condor Facts Continued
• Overall length of a Condor can range from 43 to 55 inches (109 to 140 cm)
• They can fly up to speeds of 55 mph (90 km/h).
• Their wingspan can range from 8.2 to 9.8 ft. (2.49 to 3 m).
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Condor Facts Continued
• The leading cause of death for the California condor is lead poisoning (from eating carrion containing lead shot).
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Two known nests are on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon while another is on the Kaibab Plateau.
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
The Conundrum Of Unhatched Condor Eggs
Current Condor NewsSeptember 18th 2013
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Current Condor NewsContinued
In the coastal redwood forests of Central California, scientists trying to unravel the mystery surrounding the reproductive problems of dozens of endangered condors think they have uncovered the culprit: the long-banned pesticide DDT.
Photo: Tim Huntington, Associated Press
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Photo: Tim Huntington, Associated Press
Current Condor News Continued
Kelly Sorenson, executive director of Ventana Wildlife Society and a co-author of a new study on condors, said researchers who spent six years studying their reproductive problems have "established a strong link" to DDT in the birds' food source.
Get the Full Story
Click to Watch
Condor Birds in the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Visitor Center http://www.explorethecanyon.com
Check out National Geographic Visitor Center's Condor Encounter Bird Show
National Geographic Visitor Center
450 State Route 64Grand Canyon, AZ 86023Phone: (928) 638-2468
Hours of OperationMarch- October open 8:00am- 10:00pm.
November- February open 10:00am-8:00pm.
